The experienced midfielder is seeking a fresh start after a turbulent spell away from the pitch, and isn't likely to be short on offers
Paul Pogba is finally coming back! The former Manchester United and Juventus star's 18-month doping suspension ends in March, at which point he will be able to sign for a new club as a free agent.
Pogba was initially banned for four years after testing positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), but it was reduced in November after his partially successful appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The Frenchman was subsequently released from his contract at Juventus, bringing to an end his miserable second spell in Turin, and has since been training hard to get into shape.
The question is: who will take a gamble on an enigmatic player who turns 32 next month and has not played a competitive game since September 2023? Pogba gave an update on his situation at the end of January, telling Twitch streamer : "There are proposals, then there are interesting things, and not so interesting things. A club that plays in the Champions League? Why not. If it comes, of course, why not. We always want to be in the best clubs. After that it doesn't depend on me, it depends on lots of other things."
Pogba also expressed his desire to earn a recall to the France national team, but that won't be an easy task, especially if he has to settle for a club that cannot offer Champions League football. That's not to say there is no hope for the World Cup winner, though, because at his very best he remains one of the most talented midfielders in the business.
The first step is regaining full fitness. Pogba hasn't played regularly since his penultimate season at United due to a myriad of injuries, and needs the platform to prove he can still handle the physical demands of high-level football before he can think about bigger things.
With that in mind, GOAL has ranked the eight possible next destinations for Pogba…
Getty8Manchester United
Pogba sent United fans into frenzy last month by posting a cartoon of himself on Instagram in the club's kit alongside Amad Diallo, followed by the cryptic message: "Let's see what's coming."
One supporter responded by insisting "he's worth the third chance looking at problems of this current squad", a sentiment echoed by former Red Devils striker Louis Saha. "We need guarantees, we need quality, we need confidence, we need leadership, and this guy now has an opportunity to show how much he wants it," Saha said.
While Saha's assessment is undeniably true, the risks of bringing Pogba back for a third time outweigh the potential rewards for head coach Ruben Amorim. In his final few years in Manchester, Pogba became more of a hindrance than a help, only performing sporadically in between spells in the treatment room.
There was constant speculation over his future amid persistent links with Real Madrid, too, and the Old Trafford faithful had turned on Pogba long before his exit in June 2022. Adding him back into the mix three years later would probably only create problems for Amorim, and he has enough of those to contend with already.
AdvertisementGetty Images Sport7Atletico Madrid
According to , Atletico Madrid are interested in signing Pogba, and there is a belief at the club that Antoine Griezmann's friendship with his compatriot could help facilitate the transfer. Diego Simeone has just lost Koke to a serious muscle injury, which leaves Atletico a bit short on depth in the engine room, and Pogba might be able provide cover.
Atletico are fighting for the La Liga title again, and have also progressed to the Champions League last 16 and Copa del Rey semi-finals, but cannot afford to take their foot off their gas even slightly. It is, therefore, not hard to see why a short-term deal for Pogba might appeal.
That being said, Pogba just isn't ready for a challenge this big. Simeone is a notoriously strict task master who demands the highest levels of discipline and effort, and those who fall short are soon exiled (just look at Joao Felix). If Pogba is to return to a top-five European league, it will have to be at a club with lower expectations and less pressure.
Getty Images Sport6Corinthians
In one of the most bizarre stories of the Christmas period, it was reported that a Brazilian escort agency, Fatal Model, approached Corinthians with an offer to help them push through the signing of Pogba. The agency were said to be willing to pay close to £500,000 per month to Corinthians to help cover Pogba's wages, but the Brasilerao club rejected the deal due to a reluctance to be associated with such a company.
Journalist claimed Pogba was open to joining Corinthians, though, and there is still an outside chance they will find another investor to fund the transfer. Pogba even joked about playing for the club for free in a video call with Brazilian influencer Luca de Pedreiro, just so he can play alongside Memphis Depay again.
Pogba had a good relationship with Depay during their time together at United, and a friendly face could help him settle quickly in South America. Depay has certainly had a new lease of life since joining Corinthians, while Neymar is now shining again back at boyhood club Santos, which suggests Brazil could be a good place for Pogba to rebuild some confidence.
Getty Images Sport5Inter Miami
Pogba sparked talk of a potential move to Inter Miami when he headed to Florida to train in November, and has also been spotted at various high-profile events in America in recent months. He was also in the Chase Stadium crowd to watch Miami's MLS round one play-off clash with Atlanta United as Lionel Messi and Co suffered a shock 3-2 defeat.
Miami have been tipped to make a move for Pogba, who would have no problem fitting in a dressing room full of superstars. Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets followed Messi to Miami and they romped the 2024 Supporters' Shield title under Gerardo 'Tata' Martino.
A new era is now beginning under Javier Mascherano, and Miami have already made a few signings as they target MLS Cup glory in the new season. Whether or not they have room on their wage bill to recruit Pogba remains to be seen, but he already owns a luxury apartment in Florida, and it wouldn't be surprise if Miami co-owner David Beckham has already sounded out the France international.
